In exceptionally simple terms, there are three main tactics used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The best places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!
February 15th, 2023
Lee
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